Peer Counseling

Simone Samuel Patil

Consultant Vidula Psychological Consultancy, Facilitator at Symbiosis Centre for Liberal Arts

Don’t come at me with answers

That can only come from me,

Don’t tell me how my grief will pass…

That I soon shall be free.

Don’t stand in pious judgement

Of the bonds I must untie.

Don’t tell me how to suffer,

And don’t tell me how to cry.

My life is filled with selfishness.

My pain is all I see, But I need you, and I need your love..

Unconditionally.

Accept me in my ups and downs,

I need someone to share.

Just hold my hand and let me cry,

And say, “My friend I care.”

J. Hendel

If I could choose a poem to define what Peer Counselling stands for, this one would definitely be it.

Back in the year 2015, I was starting on a new career path and looking out for an idea that couldhelp me make a difference. A lot of research later, I came across this concept.

Peer Counselling.

To give you a little context, the idea of 'Peer Counselling' had begun in the United States in the mid-sixties.It was birthed at an organisation called the ‘Independent Living Movement’ at Berkley University. The people at this University decided to meet on a regular basis and give each other "time" to discuss issues related to students with physical disabilities on campus. They would meet once a week to examine issues, talk openly about discrimination, and come up with ideas that could assist these students in some way.

Eventually, many students with physical disabilities from all over the States picked up on this idea and would meet every week, using - Humanistic Rogerian Therapy as a guide to navigate their sessions.

Push to the present day, today, Peer Counselling is an accepted addition to a more formalised version of therapy or group therapy.

So what exactly is peer counselling?Let’s start by understanding what peer counselling is not.

Peer counselling is not peer support, although there are a few similarities between the two. The difference between them is that the latter is more general, which may include informal help, providing general information and advice given by and to peers. However, peer counselling uses a structured methodology, along with a therapeutic modality.Peer counselling utilizes a Client Centered approach and believes that people are capable of finding their own solutions to their own issues.

As I continued researching this idea, I came to realise that Peer Counselling groups are necessary in a country like ours. According to an article in the Economic Times in 2018, India has only 898 psychologists against 20,250 required in the country and less than 900 psychiatric social workers against the 37,000 needed.

These numbers point to a dearth of mental health workers in India.This is where Peer counselling can make a difference.

As I started facilitating peer group sessions, I realised the impact it was making on college going students. We would meet twice a week for a duration of two hours.

All groups would begin by laying down ground rules, including:

1. Being Non- Judgemental

2. Active Listening

3. Withholding advice

4. Building Empathy, and

5. Creating a group of empowered individuals who are capable of working on their own issues.

Once these ground rules were established, the group would go on to discuss various issues that presented themselves in their personal lives as well as cultural issues in our society, all under the guidance of the facilitator (me).

As the group sessions continued, all individuals in the group began forming this supportive cocoon, becoming more comfortable with being vulnerable. It was a beautiful process to witness. It was as if this group released everyone’s fear of judgement, consequently leading to individuals who were empathetic, vulnerable and empowered.There would be days where a group member would challenge himself or herself to unlearn a pattern of behaviour or belief that no longer served him/her, consciously choosing to do this knowing that they had the support they required if needed.

Gradually as the sessions proceeded, I realised that once the group members were psycho-educated, they were also capable of becoming peer-counsellors themselves.

So I began forming a new idea: creating‘First points of Contact’.

If a student in college had an issue, he/she would prefer to speak to someone their own age rather than approaching a professional.When this would happen, wouldn’t it be so much more beneficial if the student they approached were educated on what to say or how to provide support until this student develops the courage to approach a professional?And so it began…

Cut to the present day, it’s been over five years since this idea took off, and I can say without a doubt (and a fulfilled heart), that peer counselling makes a wonderful difference to an individual.

It shapes individuals into people who are aware of their issues and are empowered to resolve them. Alongside, it creates individuals who are psycho-educated and sensitised to various issues and trained in basic techniques to help someone going through a rough time.

The future of Peer Counselling is vast! All we need, all we ever need really, is people who want to make a difference...